George Bell Swift
American politician
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George Bell Swift (December 14, 1845 – July 2, 1912) was an American politician who served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois (1893; 1895–1897) for the Republican Party. He was selected to replace the assassinated Carter Harrison III on a temporary basis as mayor pro tem in 1893 and lost a bid for election as mayor later that year. He was elected mayor when he ran in 1895.[3]
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George Bell Swift | |
|---|---|
Swift in 1896 | |
| 36th[1] Mayor of Chicago | |
| In office April 8, 1895 – April 15, 1897 | |
| Preceded by | John Patrick Hopkins |
| Succeeded by | Carter Harrison IV |
| Acting November 9, 1893 – December 27, 1893 | |
| Preceded by | Carter Harrison III |
| Succeeded by | John Patrick Hopkins |
| Mayor Pro Tempore of the Chicago City Council[2] | |
| In office 1893 | |
| Chicago Alderman from the 11th Ward[2] | |
| In office 1892–1894 Serving with William D. Kent | |
| Preceded by | Walter M. Pond |
| Succeeded by | Alexander H. Watson |
| In office 1879–1881 | |
| Preceded by | Ansel B. Cooke |
| Succeeded by | Thaddeus Dean |
| Deputy City Clerk of Chicago | |
| In office 1885–1886 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 14, 1845 |
| Died | July 2, 1912 (aged 66) |
| Resting place | Rosehill Cemetery |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lucy L. Brown |
| Children | Brown F. Swift, Herbert B. Swift, George L. Swift, Grace Bell Bachelder, Adelaide Pearl Taylor, Eldred B. Swift, Edith L. Swift |
Early life and career
Swift was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Samuel W. Swift and Elizabeth Swift (born Bell). His family moved to Galena, Illinois when he was young. By his teenage years, the family was living in Chicago. Prior to serving as mayor of Chicago, Swift served two terms as an alderman from the 11th Ward (one term from 1879 to 1881 and one term from 1892 until 1894 (the latter of which he was serving during his acting mayoralty in 1893).[2] From 1887 to 1889, he was the city's Commissioner of Public Works.[4]
Swift was a proponent of the City Beautiful movement.[5]
Acting mayoralty
After the assassination of Carter Harrison III, the Chicago City Council selected Swift to serve as pro tempore in a heated meeting on November 4, 1893. As mayor pro tempore, Swift would be the city's acting mayor, serving until a new mayor would be elected.[6] Swift was sworn in as acting mayor on November 9, 1893.[7] The following month, he lost the special election to fill the remainder of Harrison's term, being defeated by Democrat John Patrick Hopkins. Hopkins took office as mayor on December 27, 1893, ending Swift's acting mayoralty.[8]
Mayoralty
In 1895, Swift was elected mayor of Chicago, defeating Democratic nominee Frank Wenter by a broad margin. Swift was sworn in as mayor on April 8, 1895.[9]
Swift declined to seek reelection in 1897, and was succeeded by Democrat Carter Harrison IV on April 15, 1897.[10][11]
